It's not easy...

It has been close to two months since I commissioned on the 12th September 2009. Within this relatively short period of appointment as a Second Lieutenant in the army, I have already encountered a lot and experienced a couple of critical situations that not many newly commissioned Officers normally get to face. Really really a lot that is way beyond my expectations and they have left me in deep thoughts and reflections about what true leadership in a military context is all about.

For people who aspire to be a future Officer of the Singapore Armed Forces, I would like to urge you to think again, and seriously asked and questioned yourself if you are prepared to shoulder the responsibility that will be entrusted upon you. Why do you want to be an Officer in the first place? For pride? For honour? For country? Or is it you wanted to torture your man, inflicting the physical pain to them just like how you were being treated when you were a recruit back in BMT? I have heard many people saying that they want to be an officer, so they can inspire and influence their man for a positive change. But how realistic is that? Are your values anchored deep enough for you to change and influence others?

Life as an Officer is not as easy as many people have thought it is. This is a fact and we have to learn to accept it. Right from the very day you commissioned and throw the peak cap, you have joined the ranks of the officer corps and many people will expect you to make things happen; and not just wait for things to happen, or worse, not even know what happened.

Every single decisions make and every actions that you take bear great responsibility which you as an officer must have the courage to bear, but bear in mind that many times, not making a decision is in itself the wrong decision, and no action is in itself the wrong action. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Frankly speaking, all these deep reflections came after coming back from my second SOCJOT trip in Brunei where I personally encountered a close brush with death and experienced the ultimate true test of military leadership. To that, I really have to thank God that I managed to survive this ordeal, bringing out all my Cadets safely, leaving no man behind. Maybe outsiders who read this will not believe in what I state, but this life and death experience is one incident that I will remember deeply for many years to come. Even if I want to forget about it, the flashes of memories will still haunt me in my dreams.

Like what I have mentioned in the previous post, Officership is not just about getting a nice rank to wear on your chest, about getting paid more than most NSFs, about making your parents and loved ones proud. Officership is about serving at an entirely different capacity. The Armed Forces Council has reposed special trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct, appointed you as an Officer of the Singapore Armed Forces. You will loyally and diligently discharge your duty and honourably at ALL times.

Upon commissioned, you really have to find your own conviction and clarity. Earn the respect from your men, and not command the respect from them. In fact, I am still in search of my clarity of purpose too..

I have made the Officer Creed my guiding light and it have really given me the strength and courage to place the safety of my Cadets before mine. To people who have heard my encounter, the Officer Creed is the reason for my act. Definitely, I am not being stupid for risking my life to save the rest. I have my family too, but the Rank Insignia that I have worn had reminded me that the parents of my Cadets have entrusted their life of their sons in my hands and I have to be responsible for them.

I am an officer of the Singapore Armed Forces.
My duty is to lead, to excel and to overcome.
I lead my men by example.
I answer for their training, morale and discipline.
I must excel in everything I do.
I serve with pride, honour and integrity.
I will overcome adversity with courage, fortitude and determination.
I dedicate my life to Singapore.

I recite this creed with my heart and I am committed to live by it. Within this two years of National Service as an Artillery Officer, I promise to do my best to uphold them.

Sometimes we must be hurt in order to grow. Sometimes we must fail in order to know. Sometimes we must lose in order to gain. Because some lessons in life are best learned through pain. After all this, at least I am sure that I have emerged stronger and learned to treasure the people I love...